What Is A Botnet? Definition And Also Avoidance Official
A botnet—a combination of the words "robot" and "network"—is a group of internet-connected devices infected with malicious software and controlled remotely by a single attacking party. These hijacked devices, often called "bots" or "zombies," can include personal computers, smartphones, and Internet of Things (IoT) gadgets like smart cameras or routers.
The person who manages the network is known as a "bot-herder" or "botmaster". They use a infrastructure to send instructions to thousands or even millions of devices at once. In many cases, device owners are completely unaware their hardware is part of a botnet because the malware is designed to operate silently in the background. Common malicious activities performed by botnets include: What is a Botnet? - Palo Alto Networks What Is a Botnet? Definition and also Avoidance